Skydive Oregon is about to be my home dropzone and is also where I did my first tandem. I've been doing research here on DZ.com to see how reputable it is and what I should be expecting and it has positively glowing reviews. Everybody seems to love it - great views, cheap flights, great landing area, awesome hanger, fun people, etc etc etc

Why then, when I mentioned Skydive Oregon at the DZ here in MA, did somebody say "Oh man, that place is a death trap. Or, it used to be, don't know about it now."

When I mentioned Skydive Oregon to my dad he said something very similar - "Oh yeah, that place killed people all the time."

My aunt, who was going to do a tandem here in MA now refuses to do one at Skydive Oregon because she heard it was dangerous.

I've googled my heart out but can't find a single incident other than a guy a couple of years ago dying while swooping.

They might be thinking of Ted Mayfield, who used to run a drop zone in Oregon. That was a very long time ago, and no longer has any bearing on current Oregon drop zones. That's my guess...

Yep, you're probably right on that. Skydive Oregon runs a tight ship, very "by the book." I've been to a lot of DZs, and to SDO multiple times and under its current management it is definitely not what I'd call sketchy at all.

The problem with internet sites like this is that, aside from moderators enforcing terms of service about conduct, there really are very few filters that keep people or businesses from being defamed, or their reputations smeared, even if inadvertently and/or only by implication. And gossip columnists have used the "question" form of rumor-spreading to evade getting sued for libel since the dawn of newspapers. I'm glad Posts # 2 and 3 quickly clarified the facts addressed in the questions in your OP; for if gone unanswered, it could have done some actual damage to an innocent business.

(Note: the title of the thread, alone, is arguably damaging in itself, and is not "answered" unless the reader chooses to open the thread. I think that's unfortunate.)

I'm willing to presume that you posted innocently and in good faith, unless shown otherwise. My apologies for coming across like a stuffy poop, but people need to bear in mind that public acts have consequences, and come with responsibility.

Skydive Oregon in Molalla is my home dropzone. Believe me, whenever someone refers to an "unsafe Oregon DZ", they'll be referring to Ted Mayfield/Pacific Parachute Center in Sheridan. It's been closed since the 90's.

Joe and Theresa at SDO run a very tight ship. They have high quality aircraft that they obviously spend a lot of money to keep in top shape. They have staff that are top notch. If you're a student, they have great gear that is very well maintained.

We did a POPS State Record at Skydive Oregon last July and Joe and Theresa and the entire drop zone staff were Top Notch! I had a childhood friend come to the DZ to do tandem and that too was great. Their Caravans are second to none. Their landings area was fabously maintained and they were one of the first DZ to give swoopers their own landing area. I would recommend Skydive Oregon to everyone!

You gotta be hearing stories about the other DZ, in eagle creek. I have not been to the Eagle Creek DZ personally, but when I lived in the Portland area a while back I heard nothing but bad news about that place.

SDO was my home DZ and I worked a little bit for Joe and Theresa doing a few coach jumps. They run a tight, safe ship no doubt with spectacular facilities and aircraft. I've jumped at a dozen or so DZ's all over the continental US and I'd say that their operation has one of the most thorough student programs I've seen. They don't mess around when it comes to training and gear.

People have mentioned the title several times but each time I reread it it seems totally fair. I don't say "why is it sketchy," I say "why do people think it's sketchy." The comments and even my initial post are full of nothing but praise.

The rumors really are out there, three unique people all told me the same thing. I'm surprised there wasn't already a thread about this and anybody seeking to research the subject later will find this subject very helpful.

If a mod wants to change it, fine, I won't fight that battle, but I plan on leaving it.

I’m was asking to merely reword the title to something like “Question about an Oregon dropzone”

The thread text could still start with your “Why do people think Skydive Oregon is sketchy?”

This thread title is going to stand out on Google searches and cause them needless problems. I don’t know the DZ or have ever visited there, but find this quite uncool when they’re trying to run a business.

People have mentioned the title several times but each time I reread it it seems totally fair. I don't say "why is it sketchy," I say "why do people think it's sketchy." The comments and even my initial post are full of nothing but praise.

The rumors really are out there, three unique people all told me the same thing. I'm surprised there wasn't already a thread about this and anybody seeking to research the subject later will find this subject very helpful.

If a mod wants to change it, fine, I won't fight that battle, but I plan on leaving it.

Hi

The lessons learned , from a DZ like Mayfields need to be reinforced and not swept under the rug.

I'm not trying to be malicious or anything, I just think that a title like what it was (mods have since changed it) is actually more helpful when looking to answer the question I had.

I specifically wanted to know why people I knew thought that Skydive Oregon was sketchy. I wasn't looking for opinions on Skydive Oregon (there are plenty already posted in the forums) or to know more about it.

Sorry if people are offended by this, I was just trying to get a question answered, not badmouth a dropzone that everybody says is lovely.

If you want to know why some people you have talked too have a less than stellar opinion of Skydive Oregon.,how about you ask them directly. Coming on here and making the statment that you have been is a great way to make a first bad impression at what you are saying will be your new dz. SDO has the highest expectations of it staff and the finest equipment and planes. SDO is a great dz with incredible views and the finest planes with the finest staff around.

The problem with internet sites like this is that, aside from moderators enforcing terms of service about conduct, there really are very few filters that keep people or businesses from being defamed, or their reputations smeared, even if inadvertently and/or only by implication. And gossip columnists have used the "question" form of rumor-spreading to evade getting sued for libel since the dawn of newspapers. I'm glad Posts # 2 and 3 quickly clarified the facts addressed in the questions in your OP; for if gone unanswered, it could have done some actual damage to an innocent business.

(Note: the title of the thread, alone, is arguably damaging in itself, and is not "answered" unless the reader chooses to open the thread. I think that's unfortunate.)

I'm willing to presume that you posted innocently and in good faith, unless shown otherwise. My apologies for coming across like a stuffy poop, but people need to bear in mind that public acts have consequences, and come with responsibility.

yes true, but immediately people who are jumping/have jumped at these places can quickly verify information. the rumors may fly but theres enough people on this website who can quickly shut down any questionable thoughts when they are posted......... i had no problem with skydive oregon, except for the fact that it wasnt quite a "loose" enough DZ for my tastes. good people that run it and jump it though............. i dont think safety is a remote issue at that place at all

i had no problem with skydive oregon, except for the fact that it wasnt quite a "loose" enough DZ for my tastes. good people that run it and jump it though............. i dont think safety is a remote issue at that place at all

'Loose Enough' might be a funny name for a team, but is probably not the best way to describe what you're looking for in a DZ. Is there something more specific that you need? Did SDO enforce some rule or restriction that affected you?

You gotta be hearing stories about the other DZ, in eagle creek. I have not been to the Eagle Creek DZ personally, but when I lived in the Portland area a while back I heard nothing but bad news about that place.

So you defend SDO from an unfounded internet rumor by starting another unfounded internet rumor against another Oregon DZ? Nice!

"I have never been there but I heard it was bad, blah, blah, blah."

Both DZ's have excellent safety records and I HAVE jumped at both. There has not been a skydiving fatality at Skydive Eagle Creek since 1977. Only one and that was 35 years ago!

The moral of this story is you should not believe everything you hear.

all of the fun jumpers I jumped with had the same things to say about Eagle Creek, and provided reasons I won't go into here.

None of which is your own statement based upon your own personal observations. There's a reason why hearsay is generally inadmissible in court: it's inherently unreliable, because whoever allegedly did make the "statement" is not available to have his story heard first-hand, much less tested by cross-examination. And that's all you've got: hearsay.

Again: think, then think again, before posting things in a public forum that could damage another's reputation.

You gotta be hearing stories about the other DZ, in eagle creek. I have not been to the Eagle Creek DZ personally, but when I lived in the Portland area a while back I heard nothing but bad news about that place.

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passing on info 2nd hand is always a bad idea, Ralph runs a tight ship - you break his rules your gone period - when he says no swooping he means it - and he wont be polite about it and say your grounded, its more like get the fuck off my property, I worked for him for 2 seasons filming tandems.

I tested out a trade-in canopy at Ralphs *the fx 85 I have now and ended up buying it, I used it there for a year before moving to central washington, I went to SDO when I wasnt filming and wanted to swoop - at Eagle creek to make money.

I had a SDO jumper ask me where I got the canopy then asked what I thought about not being able to jump it at Eagle creek - to which I replied that I jumped it there all the time since I followed the rules that Ralph set and hadnt had any problems.